Abstract
Objective We aimed to evaluate which patient-level factors influence mode of delivery among candidates for operative vaginal delivery.
Study Design Cross-sectional study of candidates for operative vaginal delivery from 18 hospitals over 8 years. Probabilities of mode of delivery were estimated using hierarchical logistic modeling adjusting for clustering within physician and hospital.
Results Total 3,771 (64%) women delivered with forceps, 1,474 (25%) vacuums, and 665 (11%) cesareans. Odds of forceps versus vacuum were higher with induction (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.76–2.65), nulliparity (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.59–2.66), epidural (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.19–3.56), maternal indication (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.16–2.02), older maternal age (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06–1.31 per 5 years), and longer second stage (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.20 per hour).
Odds of cesarean versus operative vaginal delivery were higher with maternal indication (OR = 9.0, 95% CI: 7.23–11.20), a perinatologist (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.09–5.78), longer second stage (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.65–1.93 per hour), older gestational age (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.20 per week), and longer labor (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.04 per hour).
Conclusion Patient-level factors influence the decision to proceed with an operative vaginal delivery and the choice of instrument, thereby emphasizing the importance of maintaining availability of both forceps and vacuums.
Keywords
clinical characteristics - forceps - indication - operative delivery - vacuum
